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Author: Izzy Neto

At 21 Susan became pregnant, married the father of her child, and gained 55 pounds with her pregnancy. She was elated to have been blessed with a child and concluded the pounds would come off as she breast fed her baby, and attended to household chores. Three years and two more pregnancies later, and Susan had not shed much “baby weight”; in fact, her weight had hit an all time “high”. With three babies and all of the challenges of motherhood she had no time for herself. Susan was always tired, stressed out, and hungry even though she seemed to eat constantly. She placed her “cute” clothes in a trunk and went for the “stretchy pants, and oversized sweatshirts. They became her uniform.

Susan was at an all time low. She felt unattractive, old, and she was bored with her routine. Susan’s husband could see his partner deteriorating, and suggested she start taking time off beginning with a visit to the local nail salon for a pedicure. Although the appearance of her swollen feet, varicose veins, and ugly overgrown toenails horrified her, she put on her “big girl pants” and made the move. It was only short “vacation” but she desperately needed a break. As the nail technician began to do her work, she noticed that Susan had a sore on her big toe; it was very infected. Susan said she had injured her foot at least one month ago but hadn’t noticed or felt the pain of the sore. The technician was concerned, stopped the pedicure, and recommended Susan see a podiatrist. Angry and frustrated, she had to abandon the idea of the relaxing pedicure. Instead, she decided to treat herself to lunch at a local pub. She did call a podiatrist!

(Fast forward) Susan’s podiatrist learned she had had other sores that had not healed, she was fatigued, had excessive thirst, she was experiencing vaginal infections, and waking during the night to go to the bathroom. He suspected type2 diabetes and suggested Susan see her physician for diagnostic tests. Susan was concerned; her Mom had diabetes and had developed a series of complications resulting in her death.

Nearly 79 million adults are at risk for developing diabetes. If left untreated it can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, amputation, and death. Susan’s symptoms are consistent with the symptoms some women experience as early warning signs of diabetes but it’s important to routinely check your blood sugar and have other diagnostic tests such as the hemoglobin A1C test.

With proper diet and exercise diabetes can be prevented. If diagnosed with diabetes, there are tools that may prevent the disease from progressing. Susan started by making adjustments in her diet including increasing the amount of protein she consumed and decreasing her carbohydrate and fat consumption. She began walking with her children to and from the bus stop and then walking around the track at her local high school. After one year she’s back at an all time low; she is ten pounds lighter than her pre-pregnancy weight.

We are honored to introduce you to one of the FemmePharma Women of the Month of March, Diane Victoria DiFulvio. Diane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 27. Over the years, Diane has been actively involved in spreading MS awareness. She is a true FemmePharma Woman.

Boomer women aren’t shy about their sexuality or are they? We were the generation that had access to various means of birth control; we were liberated, emancipated, and freer than our Mothers? Unfortunately, we won’t ask for what we want and need when it comes to sex.

I’m talking about vulvovaginal atrophy that affects 20% to 45% of women beginning in midlife and older. Yes, it is a medical condition AND it doesn’t mean you are somehow inadequate or unsexy! It’s the result of lower levels of estrogen during menopause and the symptoms include itching, dryness, (sometimes women will also have the urge to go to the bathroom more often and with greater urgency), and painful sex. Just when you threw your birth control out the window and you were looking forward to having sex with wanton abandon**, there’s the issue of pain. In fact, less than 25% of women with the symptom of pain during sex will discuss it; not even with their physician. Instead they avoid having sex, or if they do have it may come with tearing, bleeding, and discomfort. Sex is supposed to be pleasurable. Time to confront the issue and start living life again.

What to do?

Ask for help

Check into non-hormonal lubricants and moisturizers;
I’m personally not a fan of hormones

iscuss this with your partner

The cliché of use it or lose it is true

Check out Jeffrey Osborne’s “Baby Stay with Me Tonight”

When sex is FUN again, you’ll be “surfing in bed” again and again

**Important: Please practice safe sex. Unprotected sex may lead to sexually transmitted diseases including transmission of the HIV virus.

And, this is TMI for my daughter, so I hope she isn’t reading my blog.

My entire career has been in healthcare, largely with the multinational prescription pharmaceutical companies. After two decades, a lot of soul searching, and the birth of my one and only daughter, I decided to leave the security of BIG PHARMA to launch FemmePharma. It may sound “campy” but as the Mom of a daughter, I wanted her legacy and that of other young women to be different. As I reflect on the reaction of friends and colleagues, I have to laugh out loud; they were curious as to why I would elect to pursue the “niche” of women’s health. Really? Let’s see, women are the largest cohort of the population, they are responsible for 70% of the buying decisions, and they control household spending. Sadly, however, our healthcare needs have been virtually ignored by the industry. I was, and AM determined to change all of that!

FemmePharma has been in business for 17 years developing products for diseases and disorders affecting women; it is our passionate mission. We believe in women and the absolute right to demand more than they have received in safeguarding their health.

I am happy to announce the launch of our Consumer Health Company; it’s an opportunity to interact with YOU, the woman consumer DIRECTLY, and to provide you with products to support you now and as you may face healthcare challenges. Our consumer products do not require a prescription, and will be available to you online through our online specialty store. We hope your connection with us will be fun, easy, discreet, and will provide you with a community to share your story with other women. The FEMMEPHARMA WOMAN is strong, healthy, and empowered and will not be defined by age, disease, or condition. FEMMEPHARMA IS FOR YOU!

The FemmePharma Woman guards her health; in fact, she is ferocious about maintaining the healthiest lifestyle possible for herself and for her loved ones. It should be obvious that you cannot be there for your loved ones if you have not been fastidious about your health care needs.

Yes, I know, you’re pulled in all directions and some days you don’t know if you took the time to “breathe”. BUT it’s time to pick up that calendar and plot out the year for your physical and “age appropriate” diagnostic tests. Tackle each one. If you’re terrified take a friend or loved one. You may have to pay “dearly’ for making someone sit in the doctor’s office while you get poked and prodded so better think about “pay back”…..

As you receive an “unremarkable finding” celebrate with your friends and family members and be grateful. (YAHOO).

If there is a challenge to be faced the sooner it’s confronted the higher the probability you and your practitioners can address it and hopefully resolve it. Don’t worry either; worry is useless! Conserve your energy and attitude and fight for your health.

January:

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Remember to schedule that Pap Test.What is cervical cancer?
It’s cancer that begins in the cervix; at the “upper end” of the vaginal canal.What causes cervical cancer?
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Often referred to as “genital warts”.How many women are diagnosed with cervical cancer?
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), estimates that 12,300 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2013 and over 4,000 will die of the disease.What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
There are typically no overt symptoms of the disease but regular Pap tests will be able to identify early pre-cancerous, or cancerous cells.